Intradiscal Therapies for Lumbar Degenerative Disk Disease

J Am Acad Orthop Surg. 2022 Sep 1;30(17):e1084-e1094. doi: 10.5435/JAAOS-D-21-01155. Epub 2022 Mar 31.

Abstract

Discogenic low back pain is a common musculoskeletal complaint in patients presenting to orthopaedic surgeons. In addition to surgical options, there are several nonsurgical intradiscal treatments that have gained interest, ranging from biologic, nonbiologic, cell-based, and molecular therapies. However, there is limited evidence for many of these techniques, and some are still in the clinical trial stage. We describe a broad overview of these intradiscal therapies, the mechanism of action, and the evidence behind them.

MeSH terms

  • Humans
  • Intervertebral Disc Degeneration* / therapy
  • Intervertebral Disc Displacement* / surgery
  • Low Back Pain* / etiology
  • Low Back Pain* / surgery
  • Lumbar Vertebrae
  • Treatment Outcome